Britons is sizzling in the sun today as traditional hot spots in Europe are hit by rain and cooler temperatures.
London is likely to hit 25C (77F) today, with temperatures expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week with Tuesday seeing the first dip below.
The mercury peaked at 24.1C (75F) at Hearne airfield near Bournemouth yesterday – making it the hottest day of the year so far but today we could reach 26 (79F) with the Met Office saying it should feel ‘very warm’ by this afternoon.
Temperatures in the UK is outshining many other countries across the continent, including Spain, Portugal and Italy.
Large parts of Spain were hit with showers, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britain’s shadow yesterday and today.
A Met Office forecaster said: ‘It’s going to be dry, bright and sunny for nearly everybody this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach into the 20s every day of the four-day break.
Met Office forecaster said: ‘It’s going to be dry, bright and sunny for nearly everybody this weekend.’ Brighton Beach pictured
People enjoy the sunshine at Boscombe beach, Dorset, as Britain is set for a sunny Easter bank holiday weekend, that could break national records
A paddle boarder in the water off Boscombe beach, Dorset, as Britain is set for a sizzling Easter bank holiday weekend
People play beach volleyball at Boscombe beach, Dorset, in scenes that may be more suitable to Copacabana beach in Rio
A group of runners take a morning run along the sea front in Bournemouth, Dorset
People enjoy the hot weather at Bournemouth beach, Dorset, one of many places sizzling in the sun across the UK
London is likely to hit 25C (77F) today, with temperatures expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week
Visitors to Weymouth enjoy the holiday sunshine and appear to fall asleep under the rays, risking burning from high temps
Cyclists make their way past the colourful beach huts on Boscombe beach, Dorset, as others take in the sun on the sand
A field of rapeseed near Skirpenbeck, Yorkshire, as Britain is set for a sunny Easter bank holiday weekend, across the country
People out punting on the River Cam in Cambridge on Saturday afternoon, making the most of the hot Easter weather
‘It is likely to be the warmest Easter Sunday since 2011 and the warmest Easter weekend since 1949.’
Back then, temperatures in Camden Square, London, reached a sweltering 29.4C (84.9F) over the Easter weekend.
Large parts of Spain were hit with showers yesterday, with temperatures remaining at 19C (66F). Portugal (20C) and Italy (21C) were also in Britain’s shadow. Over in Madrid the temperature is just 10C (50F), while in Alicante the mercury hit 13C.
Wednesday should see the return of the rain, unfortunately. It should still hover around 17 degrees in the early evening and become cloudy at around 7pm, paving way for a 50% chance of rain.
Plenty of Brits took to Twitter to compare the beautiful blue skies in the UK to the miserable downpours on the continent.
Andy Hiscox tweeted: ‘We are having your Spanish weather this weekend, and you are apparently having some British rain in Spain. Best get yer wellies out spanner!’
Rosie Drage added: ‘Signing out for a bit of a digital detox for 5 days for family time & unfortunately rain in Spain! Happy Easter all!’
Sunseekers flooded to Bournemouth seafront in Dorset yesterday, desperate to soak up the glorious bank holiday rays.
Car parks at the seaside resort were chockablock with hotels selling out their rooms to tourists and last-minute holiday makers.
According to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, the sweltering conditions could see hundreds of thousands of pounds spent in the coastal resort.
By midday yesterday, the authority had reported 182 deck chairs being hired out, with 5,000 sunseekers already enjoying out on the sand.
It is estimated that around 50,000 visitors will go to Bournemouth beach over the course of the weekend.
Nicola Goode, from BCP Council, said: ‘On Friday morning alone there were 5,000 people down at Bournemouth beach with that set to double in the afternoon.
‘With this being an extended weekend we could see more than even more than that over the coming days which is a real boost for the town.
‘Drinks and refreshment sales on the beach will definitely see a huge spike as will sales of towels and swimming costumes in the town centre.
Andy Hiscox tweeted: ‘We are having your Spanish weather this weekend, and you are apparently having some British rain in Spain’. Weymouth is pictured basking in glorious sunshine today
Sunbathers topping up their tan on Boscombe Beach at Bournemouth in Dorset on another clear hot sunny day
Londoners enjoy the warm Easter weather and an ice-cold drink in Hyde Park, in the west of the city
‘A sunny bank holiday is so important to town’s like Bournemouth as well as Poole and Christchurch nearby.’
Forecasters said it could get even hotter over the weekend, and the UK could see record temperatures for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
On Thursday tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Devon and Cornwall to make the most of the sunshine. It was predicted about £80 million will be spent in Cornwall over the Easter break, providing a welcome economic boost.
Holidaymakers also took refreshing dips in the sea in Llandudno, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl, where millions of pounds have been spent on redeveloping the seafront.
According to official figures, nearly ten million people were due to head off on an Easter break yesterday.
Two ladies enjoy an ice cream each as the Met Office says that temperatures could soar towards 26 degrees (79F) today
A man exercises in the sun in Hyde Park, west London. Temperatures are expected to reach into the 20s every day of the Bank Holiday week
Visitors to Weymouth enjoy the holiday sunshine on what is expected to be the hottest day of the Bank Holiday weekend
Pictured: holidaymakers on the promenade in Marbella hide under umbrellas in downpours yesterday afternoon
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